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VUSD District-Wide Student Art Show

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is excited to announce that the VUSD District-Wide Student Art Show will be held at Vita Art Center from May 25-29, 2023. The show is made possible through the efforts of the Ventura Education Partnership, Vita Art Center, and the Ventura Arts Collaborative. The juried show will highlight our incredibly talented high school, middle school, and elementary school artists.

Opening night reception is Thursday, May 25, from 5:00-8:00 pm. Student chefs will provide hors d’oeuvres. High school student awards will be presented at 7:00 pm after the viewing. All proceeds from this event support VUSD’s art programs.

Vol. 16, No. 17 – May 17 – May 30, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Congratulations to Brandon, aka Anderson .Paak and his sell out annual fundraiser for the Brandon Anderson Foundation. The concert on Friday, May 12 at the fairgrounds didn’t disappoint fans with performances from local artists and headliners the Isley Brothers and none other than the legendary, Smokey Robinson. At 83, the man is still bringing it, releasing new music, Gasms, and kicking off a tour of his own. .Paak House 23 was his first date on his Summer tour.

The California Strawberry Festival will be held for the first time at the Ventura County Fairgrounds over the weekend of May 20 and May 21. Along with all the vendors, and strawberry related food items, music will fill both days on a few different stages. Among the entertainment will be performances from Arise Roots, Jayden Secor Band, Music Freqs Band, Caliente 805 and more.

And if you’re willing to travel a bit, the Happy Face Music Festival will take place on Saturday, May 27, at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley. Headlining this one will be The Spazmatics (always a hoot), along with performances from The Fabba Show, Kelly’s Lot, The Yacht Groove, and Barry Keenan. This one is hosted by the Rotary Club of Simi Runrise.

Props going out to Spencer Barnitz of Spencer the Gardener on the documentary, “More Than Just a Party” which chronicles Spencer’s musical journey from the 70s to today. The sold-out premiere of the documentary will be held at the New Vic Theater in Santa Barbara. You won’t want to miss the band performing at Tony’s Pizzeria on Thursday, May 27.

Keep this one on your radar, a fundraiser for the Local Love Project will be held on Sunday, June 4th with performances from Kelly’s Lot, Shawn Jones, and the Bobby Hart Band. Along with all the music, a BBQ, local wine and beers will be available for sale. The primary goal of Totally Local VC’s- the Local Love Project is to activate and organize members of our community in the aftermath of a disaster within our 805 communities and to provide relief and support to those affected by disaster. This one will be held at the Portside Club House (1196 Portside Drive).

Congratulations to Winchesters Grill & Saloon on their 26th anniversary. Join in on the celebrations, Sunday, May 21, with the 805’s dance party band favorite, The Bomb (3-6 pm).

Quick Notes: Tickets are on sale now for Yngwie Malmsteen & Glenn Hughes at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center for September 9; Creatures of Content (Pennsylvania) play The Six on Friday May 19; Big Bad Voodoo plays the Libbey Bowl on Saturday, May 20; and The Winery Dogs (Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen) play the Ventura Theater on Saturday, May 20.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Bell Arts Factory Nature’s Apotheosis Solo Show by Robert Wassell

At Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory Nature’s Apotheosis Solo Show by Robert Wassell

Exhibit Runs thru July 1, 2023

Robert Wassell, habitual hiker and prolific and popular painter, calls his collection of more than 30 recent oil-on-canvas works “Nature’s Apotheosis,” a word meaning the highest point in development, or culmination. “It says that nature is the pinnacle of the world we live in,” the Ventura artist explained.

Open Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 4pm, for the full run of “Nature’s Apotheosis.” Wassell will host almost all Saturdays and Sundays (call to confirm – 805-648-1235) during his show, providing many “meet the artist” opportunities. Executive Director, Sharon Taylor, will host Thursdays and Fridays.

The entrance to Studio 99 at the Bell Arts Factory is around the back of the building off of Wall St.

Invasion of the parking meters

We received the following email from Ivor Davis. We had the city respond. Being from England we were concerned that he may have been parking on the wrong side of the street going in the wrong direction.

Invasion of the parking meters: 

One day, not long ago, I woke, strolled downtown and much to my horror noticed that parts of Main Street have suddenly been infested with those deadly parking meters. (curbs freshly painted with numbers etc.)  Sprouting east on Main Street just past the Rosie Lee British fine food emporium. Sure, I reasoned, I was probably sleeping when the powers that be warned us that the meters may continue to march east (or is it west) to compensate for all that lost Main Street revenue.  

But then I woke sweating a few days later: Will I one day have to pay for parking outside my own home?  So in desperation, I am writing to the Hon.Sheldon Brown to see if he (who knows and understands everything) can explain this predicament and whether I will have to fear (like Ukraine) that the relentless parking meter march will continue!

Thank you.
Ivor Davis, very, very long time Ventura resident.

City response:

A recent parking study showed that a paid parking model on the 700 block of Main St, would help manage our parking system. Parking meters or “pay stations” where installed a couple weeks back, along with signs, pavement marking and parking stall numbers.

As of this week, the pay stations are fully operational, and visitors may begin to utilize them!

Our Parking Enforcement team will begin enforcing June 1st, only issuing “warnings” until then.

 Additionally, we are actively working on a Parking Action Plan, which was recently presented to City Council. The plan includes new parking technologies, additional paid parking areas downtown and other parts of the city, and work towards a new parking structure! 

Downtown residents may be eligible to receive a parking permit through the City’s Downtown Parking Permit Program. The permit, which is offered in our downtown, medical, and school areas, provides all day parking for residents who live near paid parking areas. By displaying a valid parking permit on your car, you can park all day without the worry of getting a parking ticket or moving your car from space to space on your block near their home.

Related to the recent change in the mentioned area, our Parking and Mobility Program Analyst, Sergio Albarran, shared that a recent parking study showed that a paid parking model on the 700 block of Main St, would help manage our parking system. This topic was addressed by the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC) and with Downtown Ventura Partners before the installation of the meters.  

The parking meters or “pay stations” were installed a couple weeks back, along with signs, postcard notices to the 700 block, pavement markings, and parking stall numbers.

City staff was able to add an additional eight parking spaces in the area as well. As of this week, the pay stations are fully operational, and visitors may begin to utilize them.

Additionally, City staff is actively working on a Parking Action Plan, which was recently presented to City Council in three separate workshops culminating in a final presentation on Monday, May 8, 2023.

The Plan seeks to identify parking solutions using new parking technologies, additional paid parking areas Downtown and other parts of the City, and a potential new parking structure to better accommodate parking demand.

Additional information can be found at the City’s website at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Parking. We hope this information is helpful and please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Jennifer Buckley
Senior Community Outreach Specialist

Elder Abuse: An Underreported Problem

by Carey Aldava of Adult Protective Services.
This article appeared in LIVEWell.

Billions of dollars are stolen from older adults each year, while self-abuse also plagues this age group. Know the signs to help stop elder abuse.

According to a 2021 report by the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse. However, it is estimated that only one in 24 cases is ever reported. Ventura County Adult Protective Services received over 5,200 reports of abuse and neglect in 2022. Financial abuse, as indicated over the past seven years, is consistently one of the most reported types of abuse against elders in our county.

Some of the risk factors include living alone, no regular physician, lack of social support/isolation, lack of resources, family conflict, substance abuse, confusion or cognitive impairment, and refusing help from others.

According to the National Center on Aging, elders throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion to $36 billion annually due to financial abuse and exploitation. These critical funds are needed to pay for basic necessities such as housing, food, and medical care.

Unfortunately, no one is immune to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It occurs in every demographic, and can happen to anyone – a family member, a neighbor, even you. Yet it rare to discover these crimes, typically because clients are reluctant to disclose the abuse and/or neglect.

Elders neglecting their own needs, which is commonly known as self-neglect, is the second-most consistently reported type of abuse against elders in our county. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, self-neglect is a form of self-harm that may co-occur with, provoke, or be triggered by elder mistreatment. It is characterized as the behavior of an older person that threatens their own health or safety, including but not limited to, the refusal or failure to provide themselves with life’s necessities.

Self-neglect is an under-reported type of abuse in Ventura County. In 2020, self-neglect was reported 49.2 percent of the time nationally. However, in 2021, only 38 percent of referrals received in Ventura County had self-neglect allegations.

Risk factors for self-neglect include recent widowing or the loss of a loved one, worsening medical problems or a disability, lack of outside contact, isolation from friends and family, lack of a caregiver, and cognitive impairment or dementia. Studies have indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the incidence of self-neglect in aged populations and increased the need for the use of intervention tools for aging adults and geriatric patients living alone, many of which may include in-home artificial intelligence systems.

Here are eight things that anyone can do to prevent elder abuse:

Learn the signs of elder abuse, neglect, and self-neglect
Stay physically and mentally active
Avoid isolation, keep involved in the community and with family
Stay healthy and seek medical care when necessary
Monitor your financial affairs and watch for unusual banking activity
Be aware of scams – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Use licensed and bonded caregivers who have had background checks
Be careful before adding family or caregivers onto your bank accounts

If you suspect elder or dependent adult abuse, please contact the Child and Elder Abuse Reporting Hotline at (805) 654-3200 to make a report. Or, you may submit a report online at https://www.reporttoaps.org/.

Vol. 16, No. 17 – May 17 – May 30, 2023 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcome to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Do you want a Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

May 18: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m.  Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link.  The agenda includes the East Ventura police report and a presentation from Ventura Fire Marshal Brett Reed.

May 24: The College Area Community Council will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Leona Rollins, Ventura’s Housing Services Manager, will describe the city of Ventura’s homeless services. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

May 27: Children’s Health & Wellness Expo 10-3 p.m. The Monarch Breeding & Research Institute at Camp Arnaz 155 Sulphur Mountain Road Ventura. General admission is $5. Children under the age of 5 are free. Buy Tickets at girlscoutsccc.org/chwexpo

Live Demonstrations Including: Police K-9, Martial Arts, Search & Rescue k-9
Over 20 vendors to visit on a walkthrough through Camp Arnaz Fun for the whole family! Learn to be better prepared for mental health and emergency needs.

June 3: Girl Scouts & SoCalGas present Robots & Friends Open House 11-2 p.m. Westview Apartments, 1187 Riverside Street, Ventura. General admission is free- RSVP online to enter a free raffle prize. RSVP girlscoutsccc.org/robotfriends

Robot displays and interactive activity booths. Fun for the whole family. Visit booths and learn more about Girl Scouts.

June 4: Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets. 197 N. Ashwood. For information, please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

June 4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.
Sunday, 2:00-4:00 pm Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Rd.
Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking Open to the Public. For more information call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

June 7: Wednesday BCNN, Beach Cities Newcomers and Neighbors monthly meeting speaker is Frank DeMartino an avid birdwatcher whose passion for birds has led him to serve on the board for both Ventura Audubon Society and Conejo Valley Audubon Society. Currently he serves as the President for CVAS and he opened a Wild Birds Unlimited store in Ventura in 2017.

BCNN is a group for women from Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme.  It has dozens of small group off shoots from sports activities, to wine tasting, bridge, games, book groups and more.  (www.bcnnwomensgroup.org)

June 10: Food, Wine & Beer Event 4-7 p.m. The Monarch Breeding & Research Institute at Camp Arnaz 155 Sulphur Mountain Road. General admission is $50. Buy Tickets here girlscoutsccc.org/foodwinebeerfestival. Ticket entry gets you a complete pass to enjoy food and beverage samplings from our vendors. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Monarch Breeding & Research Institute at Camp Arnaz.

June 18: Visit Patchwork Show downtown. Patchwork Show is Dear Handmade Life’s bi-annual maker’s festival showcasing local emerging artists, crafters, junior entrepreneurs, and designers alongside artisan food, DIY crafting, and music. Shop from 60+ local makers, crafters, junior entrepreneurs, designers, and food artisans while enjoying the family and dog-friendly atmosphere. All Patchwork shows are free to attend.

June 24: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG). Online and Live at our temporary location Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura (805) 289-3960

Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A. Events begin Saturday at 9:30 a.m. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live attendance is reserved for members.

June 3: Ventura Audubon Society will be conducting a volunteer Beach Naturalist training workshop on Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Become a beach naturalist volunteer for the Shorebird Recovery Program. You will learn about beach ecology, plover/tern nesting and chick rearing,. After lunch, included , you will join Biologists and Outreach Coordinator to practice what you have learned. Volunteers will be asked to complete two beach shifts per month through September. Funding for this grant program is made possible by sales of the WHALE TAIL® License Plate, donations to the Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund on the California state tax return, and funds from the State of California. Sign-up by June 2nd. For location information and to register go to venturaaudubon.org/beach-naturalists or email [email protected].

Sept. 9: Relay for Life of Ventura. 10-10 p.m. at the Ventura County Credit Union, 2575 Vista Del Mar. The largest, most inspiring, and supportive cancer fundraising event on the planet. www.facebook.com/relayforlifeofventura

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OLLI Taste of Summer Registration Opens

Make your summer something to remember by exploring new ideas, staying mentally active, and making new friends at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Channel Islands.

The “Taste of OLLI” program offers 25 classes for people age 50+ that are both in-person and online via Zoom. Each class is two hours long, and there are no homework assignments, tests, or grades to worry about. Instead, learning is fun.

Choose from a variety of fascinating topics, such as how Winston Churchill changed history with his inspiring speeches; the psychology of aging; how you can use artificial intelligence online; and even the mystery of who murdered “Mad Monk” Rasputin- the whodunnit of the 20th century!

Classes start on June 12th; and registration opens on May 30th. For more information, go to go.csuci.edu/olli or call (805) 437-2748.

OLLI Taste of Summer Registration Opens

Make your summer something to remember by exploring new ideas, staying mentally active, and making new friends at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Channel Islands.

The “Taste of OLLI” program offers 25 classes for people age 50+ that are both in-person and online via Zoom. Each class is two hours long, and there are no homework assignments, tests, or grades to worry about. Instead, learning is fun.

Choose from a variety of fascinating topics, such as how Winston Churchill changed history with his inspiring speeches; the psychology of aging; how you can use artificial intelligence online; and even the mystery of who murdered “Mad Monk” Rasputin- the whodunnit of the 20th century!

Classes start on June 12th; and registration opens on May 30th. For more information, go to go.csuci.edu/olli or call (805) 437-2748.

Take 5 And Read To Kids campaign kicks off May 5

Take 5 and Read to Kids! encourages parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing together.

On May 5, at 10am, celebrity readers will be reading to young children throughout Ventura County to kick off the seventh annual Take 5 and Read to Kids! campaign, an ongoing effort by First 5 Ventura County to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood literacy.

This year’s impressive lineup of readers includes Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Supervisor Matt LaVere, Supervisor Jeff Gorell, Supervisor Kelly Long, Supervisor Janice Parvin, Supervisor Vianey Lopez, County Executive Officer Sevet Johnson, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner, Sheriff James ‘Jim’ Fryhoff, various City Council Members, and many more.

Take 5 and Read to Kids! encourages parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing with young children ages 0-5 to support their early language and literacy development. “We know that the first five years of life lay the foundation for success in school and life. For young children, early exposure to books is beneficial for long-term academic achievements said Health Care Agency Director Barry Zimmerman. Studies have proven that when you talk, read and sing to children starting at birth, you promote and support early language and literacy development.

First 5 Ventura County encourages parents and community members to become champions of early literacy by taking at least five minutes each day to read with a young child. “Talking throughout the day with your young child, reading together, telling stories, and singing all help develop pathways in the brain that will later be used to recognize letters, read, and think critically.”, Supervisor Matt LaVere added.

This year’s Take 5 event will be hosted at various preschool classrooms, family child care centers, and select First 5 Ventura County’s Neighborhoods for Learning sites. Events will also include celebrity readings at local libraries during their regularly scheduled story times throughout the month of May. Check with your local library for a full list of upcoming events.

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years, and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a significant impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco to support programs for children prenatal to 5.

First 5 Ventura County strengthens families, communities and systems of care for children prenatal to 5 years through investments, expertise, and leadership so all children reach their full potential, two key investments remain at the forefront of our work to achieve F5VCs goals: the nationally recognized Neighborhoods for Learning and Help Me Grow.

For Program information: Tyla Adams, First 5 Ventura County Program Manager at 805-218-9308 or email [email protected]

Local Library Dates:

  • E.P. Foster Library on May 5th at 10 am
  • Hill Road Library on May 5th at 10 am
  • South Oxnard Branch Library on May 8th at 4 pm
  • Oxnard Public Library on May 9th at 11 am